Mission: We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.Vision: To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.Values: Academic Quality, Community, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity and Student Focus

National Prominence

University Goals

Goal 9A: The university will attract and retain top faculty, staff and students from across the Commonwealth, nation, and the world.

Goal 9B: The university will be recognized nationally for excellence in programs and services.

Goal 9C: The university's strong national reputation will provide a wide range of career opportunities for our graduates.

Goal 9D: The university will build a national profile by creating programs that reflect the legacy of James Madison the man.

Thoughts about this Core Quality

One of the things JMU President Jon Alger learned on his listening tour during the summer and fall of 2012 is that those who are passionate about JMU don’t want the university to be the “best kept secret” any longer. One commenter stated, “JMU is too good not to be a household name.” One member of the university’s Board of Visitors added, “People need to know all of the great things happening here.” That sentiment gave rise to the development of this Core Quality. The implication is that, by 2020, the university will be viewed as a national player, recognized broadly and thereby attracting gifted faculty and students from coast to coast.